APRIL 18, 2001

Raikkonen's lady on the scene

ROOKIE of the year so far, Sauber's impressive Finn Kimi Raikkonen, was left extremely disappointed after losing his steering wheel in the San Marino Grand Prix - but at least he had a shoulder to cry on.

Team boss Peter Sauber had placed a ban on his young charges from allowing anything or anyone distract them from their duties in the opening three 'flyaway' rounds. Both performed extremely well at their jobs in response, and so Sauber has decided to relent in Europe and allow them to bring selected VIPs to the races.

Raikkonen opted to bring his girlfriend to Imola, and she was doubtless grateful to Sauber for the chance to have an angry young racing driver bend her ear after his early exit at Tosa.

"I am not bothered now by the rules," said Raikkonen. "They are not against me. If I want to bring my girlfriend to races now I can. There are no special races."